Reports: Speed restrictions in place as nor’easter blasts New England with heavy snow
Even if you are prepared to drive in the winter, you can still get in a car accident. What do you do after an accident? Here are some tips to help you.
As of 9:20 a.m. EST this reports story will no longer be updated.
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Another nor’easter is slamming New England with heavy snow with the worst of the storm focusing on Maine and New Hampshire.
“The main area of concern is southern and western Maine and into parts of New Hampshire where there will be 12 to 18 inches of fresh snow,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Frank Strait said.
Snowfall rates may climb as high as 3 inches per hour at the height of the storm, making it difficult for crews to keep the roads clear until the snow tapers off.
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The highest snowfall total observed so far around Caribou, Maine, is 12 inches in the town of East Machias.
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Crews continue to clear snow-covered roadways around Massachusetts this morning. Motorists should allow extra time to get to their destinations.
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As of 5:15 a.m. EST, multiple crashes have been reported along the Maine Turnpike. One occurred in the southbound lane near mile 5; the other at mile 65. Drivers are encouraged to use caution.
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<center><blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big fat snowflakes âï¸ in Fryeburg <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maine?src=hash">#maine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mewx?src=hash">#mewx</a> <a href="https://t.co/pM18q2XuEf">https://t.co/pM18q2XuEf</a> <a href="https://t.co/MDMTkHcZGW">pic.twitter.com/MDMTkHcZGW</a></p>— Ted McInerney (@tedmcinerney) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedmcinerney/status/832158199151259649">February 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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As of 4:30 a.m. EST, snow totals in Maine have reached as high as 15.5 inches in York County. Totals in Oxford County are around 13 inches.
Over 14,000 customers are without electricity, according to Central Maine Power. The most are in Cumberland County- where Portland is located- with over 7,700 customers are in the dark.
The storm will exit New England later Thursday, leaving gusty winds and flurries in its wake across the region.
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The storm continues to drop snow over parts of New Hampshire as well. As of 2:30 a.m. EST, 10 inches of snow have been reported by a trained spotter in Carroll County. As much as 6 inches have been reported in Coos County.
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Snow continues to pile up around Maine. As of 12:30 a.m. EST, as much as 14 inches have been reported in Cumberland County, Maine.
The snow is expected to continue throughout the night and taper off later on Thursday.
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As of 9 p.m. EST, rain has switched over to snow in Portland, Maine. Precipitation is expected to remain as snow through the remainder of the storm in Portland with 6 to 12 inches forecast to fall in the city.
Snowfall totals northwest of the city have already topped a foot with North Sebago, Maine, picking up over 13 inches of snow.
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Heavy snow moved into southern Maine on Wednesday afternoon; however, the snow was primarily over inland locations with rain falling near the coast.
Both the rain and snow were causing travel disruptions with the Maine Turnpike Authority posting a 45-mph speed restriction on I-95 from the New Hampshire border to Augusta.
I-95 north of Portland was already covered in snow by the Wednesday evening commute, leading to multiple accidents along the highway.

Snow falling along I-95 near New Gloucester, Maine on Wednesday evening. (Photo/Instagram user
The heavy snow was welcomed by ski resorts across the region with skiers and snowboarders taking to the slopes to enjoy the fresh powder.
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